Chapter 33: Ella and a friend in need

I trotted down the drive and headed the mare for home. Dusk would fall soon, and I wanted to be home before the light faded. The surrounding embrace of the trees cut the light back further, and soon I rode through a shadowland, lit only by the occasional brave shaft of receding light that breached the foliage.

The weight of the sword at my back lent me comfort, even though we seemed to have greatly reduced our vermin numbers. It still only took one vermin and one scratch to end one's breathing days.

Up ahead a figure stumbled along the road. Shoulders hunched over, head bowed, and the odd shudder worked through her body. Who would be out on their own with the approach of dusk and with no obvious means of protection? As I rode closer, the shape became one I well recognised.

Alice.